Chapter 100 One Hundred
Izzy stood near the edge of the living room, holding a glass of sparkling wine.
She watched as Dominic moved through the room with ease, greeting each guest with charm and confidence. His mother, Miranda, floated beside him, her posture perfect, eyes scanning everyone with that sharp, assessing look.
Sienna stood by the side as well, polite but distant, her gaze flicking toward Izzy now and then. Guests laughed and talked, Dominic smiling and shaking hands, but Izzy felt… invisible. Not that she doubted Dominic… he was here with her… but she couldn’t help the slight pang of being left out, standing alone while everyone else mingled. She couldn't help but feel she was at the right party
She took a sip of her wine, trying to calm the flutter in her chest.
A hand touched her back, and she turned to see Dominic. “Hey,” he said softly, leaning close so only she could hear. “Sorry. My mom isn’t always like this.”
Izzy forced a small smile, brushing her hair back. “She doesn’t seem to like me,” she said lightly, trying not to sound hurt. Her eyes met his, searching for reassurance.
Dominic’s hand brushed hers gently. “Izzy… don’t let her get to you. My mum does like you.. Just a bit controlling “
She smiled a little, feeling warmth at his words. “I know. It’s just… weird, that’s all.”
Dominic nodded and leaned his forehead briefly against hers. “We’ll take it slow. I’m here with you. That’s what matters.”
Izzy’s heart softened, her nerves easing a little. She let out a small laugh. “Okay… then I’ll try not to overthink it.”
Dominic grinned and kissed the top of her head. “Good. Come on, I’ll stay with you. No one gets to leave you out tonight.”
She let him guide her gently through the room, staying close as he introduced her to a few more guests. Even though Miranda’s sharp gaze didn’t soften, Izzy felt safer with Dominic by her side, her confidence slowly building.
Izzy stayed close to Dominic as he moved around the room, introducing her to a few more guests. Miranda’s gaze never left her, sharp and evaluating, making Izzy’s stomach twist with nerves. Every smile she offered seemed to bounce off the wall, met with nothing but polite nods or quick dismissals.
Sienna hovered nearby, elegant and poised, her smile tight. Izzy remembered her from Italy—the woman had been a fixture in the branch back then, always watching, always judging. The recognition made her stomach churn. Sienna didn’t approach, didn’t speak, but the glance she cast Izzy was enough. Cool. Calculated. Not friendly.
Dominic noticed immediately. He stepped closer, his hand brushing her lower back as he subtly guided her out of Sienna’s line of sight. “Ignore her,” he murmured, his voice low but firm. “She’s not worth your thoughts.”
“I know,” Izzy whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. But her chest tightened anyway. She wanted to make a good impression, to be seen as more than the girl his mother tolerated.
Miranda swept past, stopping briefly in front of Izzy. Her eyes studied her from head to toe, and Izzy’s confidence wavered under that sharp scrutiny. “Dominic,” Miranda said, her tone clipped, “you’re mixing business with… this.” She gestured vaguely toward Izzy. “You dont take your secretary you just have sex with them.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened. He stepped in, placing a protective hand lightly on Izzy’s shoulder. “Mom, I love Isabella and that's all that manners to me.”
Miranda’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she moved on without another word, leaving Izzy blinking in surprise and relief.
“You see what I mean?” Izzy murmured once Miranda was gone, a faint frown on her face.
Dominic cupped her cheek gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah… but don’t worry. You’re doing fine. Don't let her bother you.”
Izzy felt her cheeks warm at his words. She wanted to relax, to let herself enjoy the evening, but every glance from Sienna or her mother reminded her she wasn’t just at a party…she was stepping into Dominic’s world.
“Just… stay with me, okay?” Dominic whispered, leaning close. “If anyone gives you trouble, I’ve got you. Always.”
Izzy nodded, letting herself be guided through the rest of the room, her hand brushing his arm for reassurance. With Dominic there, she felt braver. She smiled at a few guests, offered polite greetings, and even managed a small laugh at one of Dominic’s witty comments.
Still, she couldn’t shake the weight of Miranda’s gaze or Sienna’s cool presence. But as Dominic held her close, whispered protective words, and occasionally squeezed her hand, Izzy realized she wasn’t alone in facing it. And maybe… just maybe… she could survive a night in this intimidating world with him by her side.
Izzy held her glass of wine tightly, her fingers brushing the smooth stem as she followed Dominic around the tasting table. She had no real idea what she was doing… she didn’t know her Cabernet from her Merlot, and the fancy descriptions everyone was tossing around made her head spin.
Miranda stepped closer, eyes sharp. “Isabella,” she said, her tone polite but cold. “What do you think of this one?” She gestured toward a deep red wine, swirling lightly in its glass.
Izzy froze. Her mind went blank. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. Words failed her.
Before she could even try to fake an answer, Sienna leaned slightly forward, her voice smooth and confident. “It’s tannic, with notes of dark cherry and subtle oak. Very structured… perfect for aging, but it needs a strong pairing.”
Miranda’s eyes flicked from the glass to Izzy, and then back to Sienna, her lips tightening into a thin line. Izzy felt her face flush, heat rushing to her cheeks.
“This,” Miranda said, her voice sharp and cutting, “is exactly why we don’t go below our class and mingle with filth.” She gave Izzy a pointed look, as though the words alone could burn. “It’s better to observe than attempt to pretend you belong where you don’t.”
Izzy’s chest tightened.
She felt small, embarrassed, and furious all at once. Her fingers curled around the wine glass so hard it nearly rattled. She wanted to snap back, to defend herself, but the words stuck in her throat.
Dominic noticed immediately. He stepped beside her, placing a reassuring hand lightly on her lower back. His dark eyes met hers, fierce and protective. “Ignore her,” he murmured,
Izzy swallowed hard, trying to steady her racing heart. She took a slow breath, letting Dominic’s words ground her. I will try ,” she whispered, managing a small, shaky smile.
Sienna’s eyes lingered on Izzy for a moment longer, a faint smirk playing at her lips, before she turned away, leaving the two of them together.
Dominic leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear. “Don’t let them get to you. Tonight isn’t about impressing them… it’s about us.”
Izzy nodded, drawing strength from his presence. For the first time that evening, she felt like maybe she could survive this world of wine, judgment, and high society… as long as Dominic was by her side.
Miranda straightened at the podium, her posture perfect, her presence commanding the room. Glasses clinked softly as the chatter quieted, all eyes on her.
“Thank you all for coming tonight,” she began, her voice calm but icy, carrying the weight of her authority. “It’s been a pleasure hosting you, and I hope you’ve enjoyed the brunch and the wines we’ve carefully selected.”
A polite applause followed, but Izzy’s stomach twisted in unease. She kept her eyes on Dominic, who stood beside her, handsome and tense, sensing her discomfort.
Miranda paused, scanning the room as if savoring the attention. Then, with a sharp smile, she said, “And today, I am also very pleased to announce…” She paused, letting the words hang in the air, the room leaning in with anticipation. “…the engagement of my son, Dominic, to my amazing sweetheart, Sienna.”